A Wonderful, Misused Tool

Technology in and of itself is wonderful. It gives us access to an abundance of great information that we use every day, such as the internet. It contains programs that can help with brain development and all kinds of wonderful tools we can use to progress in life. However, it can also have an extremely negative impact on children and their parents. It can impact the way children think and develop, possibly dampening critical skills that people learn as children. It is very harshly affecting their self esteem with constant access to social media and the negative effects that come with that such as depression, anxiety and feelings of low self-worth. It is affecting the way kids are learning in schools as well by not teaching them valuable, creativity skills that we learn with art and writing. And lastly, it is also affecting parents. Parenting has become more stressful now that there are many games, shows, and images they need to filter to protect their children. They are also using technology as quick uses of bribery instead of discipline. As I mentioned, technology is not all bad; however, without a good balance, it can be very harmful to the future generations of society.

A Child 20 Years Ago

Picture a child 20 years ago. They are most likely running around, wanting to go outside, begging for a popsicle or a sailboat to play with in their bath. Precious. Now picture a child today. They are probably sitting down playing on a tablet or some touch screen device. And if they aren’t doing that, they are most definitely crying, chasing their caregivers around begging for one. This is a behavior I have been noticing a lot lately. It’s a problem I have seen consistently grow over the past few years, and it is very depressing. Children should be active and playful, playing tag with the neighborhood kids and exploring their imaginations; things that I remember doing as a kid. They should not be cooped up inside, staring at an illuminated screen until their eyes turn red, which is what I see most kids doing nowadays. My observations led me to wonder what has caused this change. And I believe it’s this growing age of technology that parents can’t seem to find a good balance in.

Americans Ignoring Facts

   This article is pretty interesting and opened my eyes a little bit, showing me just how corrupt everything has become that literally no one is trustworthy. I feel like everyone, whether it be government officials, politicians, news anchors or whomever it may be... it seems that they are all making up facts or getting information from untrustworthy sources. It's a shame because right now in the world, everyone is freaking about and wanting to look somewhere for truth... but there is no where to find it. People, now more than ever, need hope for a better government and better society but because of all the corruption, it seemingly impossible.
   I am glad, however, that crime is lower than it has been in the past - despite what the rest of the news has been saying. I am just as shocked as most people were when asked by Nyhan and Reifler about the fact corrections. This world is nuts.

My hoped for my research paper

   My hopes in doing this research is that I will gather sufficient, relevant information to help me. Meaning that I want to root within myself a non-technology-dependent foundation. If I don’t use it so much, I will be happier and less reliant on others to entertain me. I will also be lessening the amount of damage that too much technological exposure can cause to my brain and psychological development. In addition, when I come to a point in my life when I have a family, I will be able to teach my kids that technology can be useful but should not be their primary source of entertainment. The second reason is to help all my readers to do the same. The biggest problem we are seeing with this issue is obliviousness. Not many people are aware of the very real damages caused by the overexposure of technology. My hope is that reading this paper will cause readers to reflect on how they are using technology, and maybe change some things. Especially when it comes to their children. I want parents and those affiliated with education to be aware of the damages that can be caused by inappropriate use of technology and start now to limit the use so that their children can grow and develop free from the harmful effects of technology use.

The Challenges of Raising a Digital Native

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRQdAOrqvGg
This was another great TEDTalk more focused on teens and parenting with technology. I completely agree that kids are losing social skills. I really liked where she was talking about how when parents enter a room all they see is their kids looking down at some device rather than socializing with each other. Social skills are one of the most important qualities one can have in life in my opinion. Especially when it comes to getting and thriving in a job. Social skills are everything!!

It's also really sad to me that anxiety becomes so real and damaging while still so young. Being young should constitute the least amount of worry in the lifetime... yet because of social media and technology, they are suffering from all these harsh effects that they can't hide from, because it is everywhere!

Children and Technology: Pros and Cons

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYqPGqczdvo

This was a really great TEDTalk about how technology is affecting education. I couldn't believe that recess was being taken out of elementary schools! That's insane to me! Kids nowadays need to be more active than they are and the fact that the only active time they have access to during school is being eliminated is beyond aggravating.

"Girl" vs "Woman"

   I have honestly never been too bothered by the girl/woman interchange. I haven't thought about it too much. Either I'm just not too picky or I am still young and consider myself to be a girl in some cases. However I will say that I do my best not to call men, boys. I'm not sure why I have focused on that and noticed that difference and not for females... but I'm glad I saw this because, thinking about my own opinion on the subject, I do think it can be pretty offensive when "girl" is used inappropriately. The phrase "don't be such a girl" is really annoying. Or, "you're just a girl what do you know?"... that one sucks. I feel like females are generally more disrespected by men than women disrespecting men. As a female myself, there could be some major bias there! But who cares, this is my blog.

Pros and Cons of Kids Using Digital Technology

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feQJndK_z6o

I thought this was a great Youtube video about the pros and cons of technology use. There are an abundance of amazing, good things that technology provides and children can grow a lot from many programs out there. However, I feel like the family unit is being harshly affected. I fell like in the past, families hung out together without any distractions and became really close. But now, it's like there is more secrecy and in order to be together, you have to fight to get your kids to put away their phones.

Stories Matter

"The Danger of a Single Story" TEDTalk.

This amazing talk really moved me and caused me to open my eyes and reflect on the ways that I think, the stories that I  seem to share or connect with and then the mostly false stereotypes that all of society is guilty of making. Lately I have been thinking a lot about the type of person I want to be including the way I think about interactions with other people and how I choose to let them affect me. A few years ago I was very simple minded and didn't necessarily care too much about what was going on outside of my own personal life bubble. But after having some amazing, eye-opening experiences in the past couple of years, I feel that "life" is about making connections with people that may be outside of that bubble. It's about opening your eyes to different views and different ways of life. It's about learning and maybe even experiencing others' stories so that false judgments, stereotypes and biases can be eliminated. I used to think that my life was all about me. However I have come to a different mindset that my life is about connecting with others. I don't even have a life if no one else is in it. I don't have a well-rounded, full life if I don't make connections and have some pretty crazy experiences to help shape me.

Stories help give people these experiences. I recently went on a European vacation, visiting Spain, Austria and Germany. I had great experiences there, learning about the wonderful, yet very sad and depressing events (such as the holocaust) that have shaped those countries. I would have never known about those events if it wasn't for the journal entries and stories that people told who experienced it. And it has greatly changed my views of what matters in life.

Parenting with Technology

Parents have hard enough jobs as it is! Technology has made some aspects of parenting somewhat easier, however I feel like it is the easy way out! However most parents say that it actually complicates things more because they are disciplining less and caving or giving in way more to their kids.

"About 70 percent of parents said that smartphones and tablets didn’t make parenting any easier, according to the June 2013 survey." 

It's a tough world and technology is making it so that kids feel entitled to such great privileges without earning anything. 

Simon Sinek and Millennials

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MC2X-LRbkE

Simon Sinek is pretty much a genius, but I thought this topic went really well with my research topic. I feel like millennials do feel somewhat entitled to things and I think that is directly related to how we were raised. We were raised with technology and social media which made it so that we were never happy with what we had... we always needed and wanted more. I think millennials are more ambitious because of it; however I think it we have lost the true meaning of hard work and family values.

Children and Technology

The biggest reason I am so interested in this topic is because a child's development is negatively being affected but the easy and quick access to smart devices and everything they are capable of showing. It is affecting their cognitive, psychological and physical development in the critical ages and stages of their development. It makes me so sad!

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-power-prime/201212/how-technology-is-changing-the-way-children-think-and-focus

This was a great article on this topic and what exactly the children are being affected by and how serious it is!

Children and Technology

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cris-rowan/technology-children-negative-impact_b_3343245.html

This article really helped me understand so many of the negative impacts that technology has on children! So many of things displayed in this article are things that I have seen with children throughout my life.

"Today’s families are different. Technology’s impact on the 21st century family is fracturing its very foundation, and causing a disintegration of core values that long ago were the fabric that held families together. " I hate that this is happening. The family unit is being attacked in this world and I know the internet and easy access to social media aren't helping!

The Truth Is Hard

I want to propose a different view to this: the truth it easier. It's the lies, deceit and manipulation that makes this life so hard. It's dealing with the effects of not living/telling the truth that makes life so difficult. Think about how simple and easy life would be without all the manipulative games and tricks being pulled by so many politicians and "people of power" (meaning anyone that influences your life). "The truth is more important now than ever"... preach! I'm only 21 and I am already sick of being lied to by fellow peers and politicians in this world. I am sick of not being told the truth. I am sick of truth no longer being the standard. The center of who we are. Lies can make people believe they are someone they are not... meanwhile they are living a lie. The truth is hard? No. The absence of truth is hard.

Thanks for Speaking to Utah Women

In response to this article by Marina Gomberg, I think it is very effective. Her use of imagery and while speaking about what some of her duties are as a mother definitely pull on some heart strings. Her tone is very sarcastic which is extremely effective. Especially in this day and age. Sarcasm works well into arguments by helping people relate to an issue while being able to see/feel someone else's point of view. Marina Gomberg is calling for an action in this article. She is making people aware of a huge issue and asking the people in charge to make pay equal for men and women.

Silencing Elizabeth Warren

She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless she persisted.

She was warned that what she shouldn't move forward.

She was given an explanation that what she was doing was wrong. 

Nevertheless she persisted and became an example to women everywhere.

Simon Sinek: Millennials

   First off, this guy is a genius. I have listened to some other talks he has done and he always blows my mind and changes the way I view something. And of course, he did it again with this one. The topic of millennials has always been interesting to me. I love studying or observing why we as people do what we do, especially focusing on how people in certain age groups act alike. 

   Something I have noticed in my "millennial" age group, and Simon Sinek talked about this too, is that we we don't want to work or do something if it doesn't bring purpose to our lives. I like to say that the older generation was good at the whole "grin and bear it" way of doing things. The idea that yeah things might suck but you just work hard and get through it. However millennials want to bring purpose to everything. If something is too hard... they want to figure out a more efficient, better, easier way of doing it. Or change the thing to make it less miserable. This way of thinking can be terrible, because millennials lack drive or even feel too entitled to something (such as money without having to work for it). But this way of thinking can be amazing and very helpful, as long as it is harnessed in the right way and for the right cause. 

If Gender Stereotypes Didn't Exist

   This was a very interesting article. It is a topic that I haven't really thought about too much. I'm not going to lie. I do occasionally fantasize about not having to deal with typical womanly issues if I were a man. However I have never thought about it from the point of view of a man. However it makes sense that both sides would want to be able to do what the other does.
   I honestly can't imagine a world without gender stereotypes. But I think it would be pretty nice. I would love to live without the stereotypes against woman... making fun of our emotions and stuff like that. That would be amazing. I hate having that sometimes I feel sorry because I might be a little too emotional. That drives me nuts. It's a sad world we live in sometimes, but someone once told me that even though I have to live IN the world, I don't have to be OF the world.

Elisa Chavez: Revenge

   With this poem, Elisa Chavez addresses a huge issue right now, which is discrimination against gays and lesbians. She clearly shows that she is fed up with the discrimination and ready to fight back and defend herself and her "family"... those that share a common life style. I believe she was motivated to write this poem because of situations of uncertainty with the government and the world in general. People are scared and probably nervous, we are in a time where no one really knows what is going to happen. It's very uncertain. I think Elisa just wanted to show the world that things are going to be okay, no matter what happens. She wanted to strengthen her family community by showing her confidence, empowering those who read or listen to this poem.
   Listening to her speak honestly had me feeling a bit angry with how they are being treated... and I don't even share that life style! Her use of imagery while writing paints a horrendous picture, something I don't wish on anyone. It has me questioning what is going to happen and what things the government is going to change. Hopefully it gets better. Hopefully, we can all get along... what a perfect world that would be.

I AM

I AM number 6 of 7 children.

I AM a sun-loving, California girl.

I AM fairly good at sports... mainly tennis.

I AM patient and calm... most of the time.

I AM very happy and at peace when exploring the outdoors.

I AM not very happy when being lied to or used.

I AM scared of losing the ones I love.

I AM constantly trying to be a better version of myself.

I AM trying to be optimistic about this English class... instead of dreading it :)

The Three A's of Awesome

   This is probably my favorite TED Talk. I love the message that Neil Pasricha transmitted throughout his blog posts and this talk. It's something we can all relate to... we all go through trials and hardships... we all have struggles, whether big or small. The struggles we go through are very personal and real for us, individually. I really appreciate the courage he had while telling the world of a very personal journey of his.
   I 100% agree that attitude affects everything. My day always goes better, and I am happier and generally more grateful when I make the choice to have a good attitude. He talked about looking at the world for the first time. I feel like after every trial, we are sort of forced to look at a situation or life itself with "new eyes", with a new perspective, hopefully having learned something.

Death Sentences

"...if thought corrupts language, language can also corrupt thought."
   This phrase reminds me of another phrase, "You are what you eat"... meaning you become what you consume. In this case, you are what you say/think. Clearly our words are stemmed from our thoughts. But the idea that our thoughts can be stemmed from what we say is very interesting.
   When talking about "inappropriate language", there are many words and phrases that come to mind, such as retarded, gay, stupid, etc. I want to focus on a phrase "deaf and dumb". Calling someone who is deaf, dumb, is very inappropriate and offensive. On the other hand, sometimes I hear people being called deaf if they are acting "dumb", meaning they are acting like they are deaf, which is extremely offensive to people who have an actual disability. I like the quote, "No one has ever made himself great by showing how small someone else is" by Irvin Himmel. Often, people are so insecure that they try and put others down to make themselves seem "cooler". I think this is why people make fun of people with disabilities... because they think they are better than them since they aren't "normal". And this is terrible. This has been going on for so long that it has become socially acceptable to say those things, and even find them humorous. I think this is what "language can also corrupt thought" is referring to. Since this type of language is heard everyday, it has corrupted our thoughts into thinking that it's okay. When it is definitely not okay and very offensive.

Betsy DeVos Hearing

   My first reaction while reading this article was how annoyed politicians make me. They always know exactly how to get around a question without really answering it. Having said that, I understand that they don't want to take a definite position on a certain matter as it may depend on that issue within a certain state or whatever the case may be. But still, politicians and members within governments are supposed to be there because they supposedly have taken a stance on one side of an issue. But oh well, that's politics.
   Now to respond to the actual issues being discussed in the article. Like most of the questioners, I agree strongly that the government is kind of screwing up the education system. It's all about money and how to make more... which if fine, our country needs money... however fairness and quality in schools should be the main focus. As a taxpayer I would also like to know that my money is going to be used for good, and not just given to people that already have a lot of money. It's just frustrating.

Response to TEDTalk: Brene Brown

   I thought this was a really great topic and it really hit home for me in many ways. I thought Brene Brown touched on a few different topics/issues that I think are extremely relevant in this world. I liked how at the end she mentioned that shame plays different roles in genders. She touched on the fact that women tend to shame themselves a lot. As a girl I have definitely experienced this! There is so much media telling us women how to be the "perfect" women... how to cater to everyones' needs, including altering appearance to please others. 

   It was also interesting to listen to the differences between guilt and shame, being that shame goes far deeper and can cause disorders. However, I like that she talked about shame in an empowering way. That it is something we can conquer. That it isn't something we need to be afraid of.